Innisfail rodeo legend Ivan Daines has been honoured with the prestigious Pioneers of Rodeo Award at this year’s Calgary Stampede.
Along with fellow rodeo cowboy Wayne Vold and chuckwagon legend Garry Dorchester, Daines was handed the award, which included a gold and silver buckle, on July 11 at Stampede Park’s Rotary House.
“It is a big honour. They (Stampede) are proud of the award,” said Daines, who now lives in Red Deer and works as an entertainer. He still trains horses at the Daines Ranch & Rodeo Grounds near Innisfail. “They had the presentation in the morning. We had a big dinner, and we watched rodeo and the wagon races. It was very nice. I am humbled by it.”
Daines’ rodeo career started by competing in the boy’s steer riding competition at local rodeos. He went on to win three consecutive steer riding titles at the Calgary Stampede from 1959 to 1961.
He then moved on to novice Saddle bronc riding and won the Canadian Championship in 1965 and 1966.
Fives times between 1968 to 1980 Daines was a top 15 world standings bronc rider.
A past winner of the C.N. Woodward Cowboy of the Year Award in 1979, he also won the Guy Weadick Memorial Award at the Calgary Stampede. As well, Daines won the Canadian Team Penning Champion in 2000.
With all his accomplishments and awards to date Daines says he is hard pressed to name the biggest and most important rodeo honour of his distinguished career.
“They asked me at the Stampede what was the biggest award I have won but it is hard to explain,” said Daines. “Every time you compete you try your hardest. Every award I win I feel humbled.
“There is an old saying, ‘A win is a win.’ And they are hard to win. I am very proud of every buckle, every saddle and every trophy I have ever won,” added Daines. “It’s nice to win money too. You have to earn a living.”
Daines is also very proud of the children in his family. His youngest son Denver is a saddle bronc rider and accomplished musician and songwriter while his daughter Brandi, who lives in Colorado and is married to former NHL forward Phil Crowe, is a horse trainer and barrel racer. His oldest son Dusty is a pilot and training instructor for WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Meanwhile, Daines is getting ready to host his 35th Annual Music Picnic Weekend, which is being held Aug. 18 through to 21 at the Daines Ranch & Rodeo Grounds.
The event is featuring several country and western music stars, including Duane Steele, Hashma Gandy, Brett Kissel, Lisa Brokop and his son Denver. For more information about the event and tickets contact Daines at 403-342-5825.
